The Ongoing Issue with Edinburgh's Plastic-Shrouded Hotel?

On one of the busiest tourist streets in the centre of Scotland's ancient city stands a imposing sight of metal poles and platforms.

For the past 60 months, Radisson's G&V Hotel on the intersection of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and a major bridge has been a covered eyesore.

Travellers cannot book rooms, foot traffic are squeezed through confined passages, and establishments have vacated the building.

Repair work started in 2020 and was initially projected to last a few months, but now fed-up residents have been told the structure could persist until 2027.

Prolonged Deadlines

The main contractor, the main contractor, says it will be "close to the conclusion" of 2026 before the initial parts of the scaffold can be removed.

A local authority figure Jane Meagher has labeled it a "blight" on the area, while preservation advocates say the work is "very troublesome".

What is transpiring with this seemingly endless project?

A Problematic Past

The establishment with 136 rooms was constructed on the site of the old local government offices in 2009.

Estimates from when it originally launched under the Missoni Hotel banner, put the build cost at about thirty million pounds.

Work on the building began shortly after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

Part of the road and a sizable stretch of sidewalk leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been closed off by the work.

People on foot going to and from the Lawnmarket and another locale have been compelled single-file into a tight, enclosed passage.

Seafood restaurant a popular spot left the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said building work had forced them to change the restaurant's look, adding that "patrons merited more".

It is also the location of popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large signs on the framework to remind customers it is open for business.

Missed Deadlines

An communication to the council's transport and environment committee in January this year stated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would start in February, with a complete dismantling by the close of the year.

But the contractor has said that will not happen, pointing to "extremely complex" construction issues for the delay.

"We project starting to dismantle sections of the framework near the finish of next year, with subsequent enhancements proceeding afterwards," they said.

"Efforts are underway closely with all parties to ensure we deliver an improved site for the community."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of conservation group the a local association, said the work had added to the city's reputation of being "leisurely" for development.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to reduce disturbance and should incorporate the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It causes the experience for those on foot in that part of town really difficult.

"I don't understand why there is not a try to incorporate it within the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and cutting-edge."

Ongoing Efforts

A company representative said work on "measures to beautify the site" was ongoing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the irritations felt by nearby inhabitants and enterprises.

"This has been a long and drawn-out process, demonstrating the complexity and size of the restoration required, however we are committed to finishing this necessary work as soon as is possible."

Ms Meagher said the city would "keep applying pressure" on those involved to wrap up the project.

She said: "This framework has been a problem for years, and I share the annoyance of residents and nearby shops over these continued delays.

"That said, I also recognize that the company has a duty to make the building safe and that this remediation has been hugely complex."